Electricity Cost Savings

In today’s energy-intensive landscape, businesses across various industries are grappling with the soaring costs of electricity. The relentless rise in energy bills has become a universal concern, prompting organizations to seek innovative solutions that not only reduce their carbon footprint but also deliver tangible cost savings. In this article, we will examine the impact of adopting energy-efficient lighting solutions as a strategic measure for substantial electricity cost savings.

How Does Lighting Impact Electricity Costs?

How Does Lighting Impact Electricity Costs?

For many industries, lighting represents a significant chunk of their energy consumption. Traditional lighting systems, such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, not only draw substantial power but also have a shorter lifespan, leading to frequent replacements and increased maintenance costs. 

This inefficiency becomes particularly pronounced in large facilities where lighting is a 24/7 necessity, like manufacturing plants, warehouses, and retail spaces. Establishments grappling with hefty electricity bills are faced with a crucial question: How can we illuminate our spaces while simultaneously cutting down on energy costs?

Energy-Efficient Alternatives

The answer lies in the adoption of energy-efficient lighting solutions, notably LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology. Traditionally, the brightness of a bulb was equated with its wattage. However, this metric fails to consider the crucial factor of lumens. Lumen is a unit of measure indicating the total amount of light emitted by the light source, while watts denote the power consumed. More lumens indicate a brighter light and fewer lumens indicate a dimmer light.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology

Consider a 100-watt incandescent bulb which produces approximately 1,600 lumens. In contrast, a modern LED bulb consuming 14-17 watts can emit the same 1,600 lumens. The implications are profound; you can achieve equivalent brightness with significantly less power consumption. This alternative offers the following benefits that extend beyond simple illumination. 

  1. Substantial Energy Savings:

LED lighting consumes significantly less energy than traditional options. This transition results in substantial reductions in electricity consumption, allowing businesses to illuminate spaces while consuming a fraction of the energy compared to conventional lighting. In turn, this leads to substantial cost savings on monthly electricity bills.

Substantial Energy Savings
  1. Extended Lifespan and Reduced Maintenance Costs:

One of the key advantages of LED lighting is its extended lifespan. Traditional bulbs often burn out quickly, requiring frequent replacements and incurring additional maintenance expenses. LED lights, on the other hand, have a significantly longer lifespan, reducing the need for constant replacements and lowering maintenance costs over time.

Electricity Cost Savings
  1. Improved Lighting Quality:

LED lighting not only consumes less energy but also provides superior-quality illumination. The enhanced brightness and colour rendering of LED lights contribute to a more comfortable and visually appealing environment. This not only positively impacts employee productivity but can also enhance the overall customer experience.

Energy-Efficient Alternatives
  1. Environmental Sustainability:

Beyond the financial gains, the shift to LED lighting aligns with broader environmental sustainability goals. LED lights are more energy-efficient and have a lower environmental impact, reducing the carbon footprint of the business. This not only meets corporate social responsibility targets but also positions the company as an eco-friendly and responsible entity in the eyes of consumers and stakeholders.

The cumulative effect of reduced energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, and improved lighting quality resulted in a substantial drop in monthly electricity bills. By investing in energy-efficient lighting solutions, organizations not only contribute to a sustainable future but also reap the immediate rewards of substantial electricity cost savings. Ready to unlock a new era of cost-effectiveness and sustainability? Contact Current Group for electrical automation designed to streamline operations and curate sustainable energy practices.

As winter approaches, cattle ranchers face the critical challenge of ensuring their herds maintain optimal health and growth despite the harsh conditions. One often overlooked factor is the temperature of drinking water, which plays a significant role in the overall well-being and productivity of range cattle during cold months. In this article, we will explore how water temperature impacts water consumption and growth performance and how Current Group’s Open2O cattle trough heater can make a difference by preventing freezing and ensuring water availability.

The Impact of Access to Water on Cattle Health

Research consistently shows that water availability is critical to cattle’s water intake, especially during winter. Frozen water can drastically reduce consumption, as cattle cannot access the necessary water. This leads to dehydration and increased energy expenditure, as cattle use more energy to maintain their body temperature in the cold. 

This increase in water intake is crucial because it correlates with higher dry matter intake (DMI), which is essential for maintaining body weight and overall health during the cold season.

According to Jon DeClerck, Ph.D., cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition, “Water is the most essential nutrient for cattle production,” says “It’s used for regulating body temperature, growth, reproduction, lactation, digestion and many other bodily functions. Water also drives intake for mineral, forage and supplements. And while we typically worry more about water intake in summer, it’s equally as important in cold weather.”

“For fall calving herds, water requirements go up drastically during lactation. Cows hit peak lactation right when water is at risk of freezing up. With spring calving herds, water access is key to avoid stress and long-term performance impacts to both the cow and unborn calf.”

Consequences of Inadequate Water Intake in Winter

When cattle do not have consistent access to water due to freezing conditions, the consequences can be severe. Insufficient water intake leads to dehydration, reduced feed intake (which affects nutrition), and poor growth performance. Instead, energy that should be used for growth is used to maintain body temperature, leading to weight loss and a decline in body condition. Additionally, water shortages can disrupt rumen fermentation, nutrient absorption, and overall cattle health, further compromising productivity.

Ideal Water Temperature and its Effect on Your Herd

Ensuring that water is available to cattle throughout winter is crucial to their hydration and growth. However, a balance needs to be met in terms of your water temperature.

Kate Hornyak, OSU Extension Program Coordinator, Delaware County, says, Keeping the ideal temperature of drinking water for cattle is a balance – it should neither be hot nor frozen.” – “It’s interesting to note that steers with access to cool drinking water have shown to gain an additional 0.3 to 0.4 pounds per day compared to those consuming warmer water. This underscores the importance of regularly checking the temperature of water, especially in waterers equipped with heaters, to avoid what’s known as a “runaway” – a situation where the water gets too warm.”

Cattle Trough Heater Open2O: Preventing Frozen Water

To address the challenges of water freezing during the cold season, Current Group offers the Open2O advanced electric device, an innovative solution designed to monitor water temperature and regulate the power to the heating element. Unlike traditional heating systems that continuously warm water, Open2O ensures that water remains just above freezing, reducing energy consumption and ensuring that cattle always have access to water.

Features of Open2O Water Controller

  • Power Savings: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O has multiple temperature inputs, which allows it to monitor water temperature every 30 seconds and turn on the heating elements only as needed. This optimized control has been proven to cut substantial power usage, with an estimated minimum of 53% power savings.
  • Real-Time Water Consumption Report: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O system provides real-time reports on water consumption, which allows cattle operators to monitor water intake per animal. This data helps identify potential issues early on, as it compares water usage across different troughs, signalling if a problem arises with any specific bowl. Accurate water consumption data supports better animal health analysis, ensuring every animal is adequately hydrated.
  • Alarm Options for Consumption and Temperature: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O has alarm options that alert operators to unusual consumption patterns—whether too high or too low—indicating potential issues like a broken water line. The system also notifies operators if the water temperature drops too close to freezing.
  • Labour and Stress Reduction: With Open2O’s remote monitoring capabilities, feedlot operators no longer need to send staff out in cold temperatures to check water bowls. Instead, they can view the software and confirm that all water sources remain open, reducing labour costs and management stress year-round.

 

With these features, Open2O provides a comprehensive solution to prevent water bowls from freezing, monitor water consumption, and support cattle health through the cold months.

Critical Benefits of Cattle Trough Heater Open2O

  • Prevents Water from Freezing: Open2O ensures that water remains accessible, avoiding water freezing in bowls.
  • Energy Efficiency: By regulating the power to the heating element, Open2O conserves energy, reducing costs while maintaining water availability.
  • Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand harsh winter conditions, Open2O ensures uninterrupted access to water throughout the cold months.
  • Improved Growth Performance: By preventing frozen water, Open2O supports cattle hydration, feed utilization, and overall growth performance.


Providing unfrozen drinking water during winter is more than just a comfort for cattle—it’s essential to maintaining their health and growth. With the Open2O device from Current Group, ranchers can ensure that their cattle have continuous access to water, even in the coldest months. Invest in cattle trough heater Open2O today to secure your herd’s health and boost your bottom line this winter.